Is a $919 cleaning fee for spilled milk on MacBook Air reasonable?

Apple does not clean corrosion because corrosion cannot be cleaned. The affected components need to be replaced. The cost approaches that of a brand new Mac, therefore that fee is approximately correct.

There is nothing you can do to repair liquid damage. Make sure you have a current data backup and go buy your new computer now.

I understand why a liquid spill would cost $919 to "repair". Most if not all components need replacing. I would not pay $919 to clean/repair any personal computer. I would buy a new computer.

I guess for this price, Apple will replace the whole unit. I'm afraid, Liquid damage can not be fixed and the risk of corrosion setting in after time is too high.

There is nothing you can do to ensure the computer will remain operational. Either it will... or it won't.

Yes, the ports could be damaged and they also will, or won't, continue to work.

If you value your data make sure you back it up white the computer still works.

On 12/8/25 at approximately 1800 UTC I had a liquid spill in my backpack that contained my computer as I was traveling home from a vocational program. The liquid was located in a coffee mug that I received at a special event that day. While I did manage to drink the hot chocolate from the coffee cup, I went to clean it and refill it with drinking water. Most of the drinking water that was spilled was absorbed by the backpack, but some of it did spill onto teh computer and some moisture may have made its way into the ports. Given that my computer is going to be six years old in a few days and was already planned to be replaced due to it not being compatible with the latest version of macOS as well as considerable wear and tear, what can I do to ensure that the computer I have now can be used for its final weeks of operation before its replacement? I am already employing the standard procedure of liquid drying Apple uses. Could the ports be damaged themselves?